An elderly man confessed to emergency services that he felt compelled to end the life of his terminally ill wife after a public suicide threat on scaffolding, a court revealed.
William Haxworth, 88, was found guilty by jurors of the unlawful killing of his wife, Delia, through smothering at their residence in Upper Lansdown Mews, Bath, in 2024. Police discovered Delia lifeless in bed following reports of William’s attempt to jump from scaffolding in the city center the previous year.
During the trial at Bristol Crown Court, Andrew Langdon KC, the prosecutor, disclosed that Haxworth admitted to firefighters and helpers that he had murdered his wife because he believed it was necessary.
Although charged with murder, Haxworth was deemed unfit to stand trial. The jury concluded that Haxworth had committed the alleged acts, as Judge William Hart instructed them not to determine guilt due to his incapacity.
Judge Hart expressed the tragic nature of the case and extended sympathy to the friends and family of the couple. The court learned from the prosecutor that a post-mortem examination confirmed Delia was smothered before her passing.
Haxworth, in a note found at the scene, expressed profound remorse and cited overwhelming circumstances as the reason for his actions. Mrs. Haxworth’s fall and subsequent hospitalization weeks before her death were noted, but her injuries were not linked to her demise.
A pathologist clarified that Delia was frail but independent, with no signs of cancer recurrence. Judge Hart decided Haxworth’s unfitness for trial, citing fluctuating mental health, and scheduled a follow-up hearing on October 28 for further evaluation.
Defense lawyer Anna Vigars KC highlighted Haxworth’s family support and psychiatric care during his time on conditional bail, with plans for a subsequent court appearance on the designated date.